Apartheid South Africa refers to a period from 1948 to the early 1990s when the government enforced a system of racial segregation and discrimination. Under this policy, the rights of the majority black South African population were severely restricted, while the white minority held political and economic power. Laws classified people by race, leading to separate living areas, schools, and public facilities. The apartheid regime faced significant internal resistance and international condemnation. Key figures like Nelson Mandela emerged as leaders in the struggle against apartheid, advocating for equality and justice. The system officially ended in 1994, leading to the establishment of a democratic government and the election of Mandela as the first black president.